14: Damaged Beyond Repair

Rooh Farah 

"Faris! The next time i give an order i want it to be executed right away" Namir wipe the blood off his face with a piece of white clothe.

"Forgive me my prince, such mistake will never be repeated" Faris apologised obidiently.

He glance at me one last time, I'm still on my knees my eyes on him, the monster in front of me who's scarier than death itself because he doesn't consider it as anything.

He look away and walk inside the other tent, after they're sure he was gone, Faris walked to me. "Get up Farah, you might get bitten by a deadly insect in the bushes".

It's like he's talking to a corpse. I can't hear him, the loud sound is still trying to burst my ears. 

What did i get myself into? On what account did i followed an unknown stranger blindly? What if he also decided to kill me like the others?.

"What you're thinking will not happen"it's like Faris has read my mind. he then offered me his hand once again.

"Let me help you up"

I stare at the hand for some seconds then burst into tears. That hope i was holding onto earnestly... I let it shatter. 

I cried for hours, everyone maintained their position including Faris who tried a lot to comfort me but to no avail so he went back to his position in front of the prince's tent to continue guarding him, but the prince didn't set his feet outside again. He has traumatized me for life. Now all i want to, is die.

I cried until my voice is gone, but it was effective in relieving a lot from my burden i was carrying for years, So now i resort to silence, but couldn't sleep a wink untill the break of dawn.

Faris excused himself in front of my tent and when no reply him he led his way inside. 

I was still sitting there lost in a daze. "I have provided water for you at an enclosed space. You should clean yourself, we'll start moving when it's brighter outside" he's referring to the blood splashed on me.

I look up at him. The sound in my ears has now subsided. "If I wasn't there earlier, would you have also slaughtered them Master Faris?" I asked in a broken voice.

"I always obey my master's orders"

"If your Master decided to make you get rid of me, will you obey him?"

"I hesitated for the first time because of you Rooh".

"I'm glad to know that you'll hesitate before you get my blood in your hands" i smiled bitterly, tears streaming down my face again. 

"I promise to tell you everything at the right time " he turned and left.

I only agreed to wash up because i couldn't continue moving with blood on me. They provide a space behind tall bushes and Faris got the place heavily guarded so that no human or animal can take a peek.

I used that opportunity to perform ablusion, wear my dirty clothes again and prayed subh after I'm back in my tent. Because i realised no one here has prayed since we started this journey, not even Faris or Namir.

The soldiers packed everything in minutes and I'm back inside my stuffy palanquin as we continue our journey. At almost dusk we stopped so i imagined that we have reached our destination.

"You may come out" he says sliding the palanquin door open. I carefully set one foot down before i put down the other, trembling, because he has his eyes on me.

I'm scared of him.

Blood rushes down my legs When i stood up, because I've been sitting in one position for the whole evening. I was about to fall down.

but he held me, 

by my waist.

His touch send creeps down my spine and i shudder pushing myself away from him in fear.

Without minding me he entered the extravagant house in front of us, Faris asked me to follow him.

There, she stood waiting for him. And as her watery eyes met his, they glitters.

"Ya akhi!" She hug him excitedly.

اشتقت لك يا نمير " 

"I missed you my Namir"

He smiled briefly.

"I'm here sister, However I'm not alone"

"Whom have you came with?" She gasped "is it mother?"

He shook his head "not yet" and move away for my little figure behind him to come to view. "This is Farah"

She smiled at me charmingly.

"Who's she Akhi?"

"She's...." He was about to say his maid when Faris barged in.

"Forgive me for interference" he apologised to prince Namir's sister before turning his attention to the prince.

"My prince, the messenger has returned from the capital. And he reported that.. lady Layla" 

"Her name is Layaal " Namir corrected Faris once again.

"I'm sorry!" Faris breathed "He reported that the lady agreed to the engagement without your presence".

"So you're now engaged?" Aziza interjected.

He sighed.

"Ukhti, Farah is my Wife!"

Her eyes widened. "What?... I mean why?"

"Help me get her inside the kingdom walls. I can do it myself but i don't want her to get hurt for my recklessness".

She looks sincerely troubled. 

"Both of you should come inside " 

Faris excused himself and left while she lead us inside herself and her servants carried our belongings, or Namir's belongings since i didn't bring anything with me.

.....

"I wanted to finish with mother's case first, then will try to convince Layaal out of this matrimony. But I must change my plans now, I'll go to the king with Farah as my wife"

"Why won't you just get married to your betrothed and use her"

He shook his head slightly "she's Suleiman's sister, i can't do that to him. Accepting Layaal is equal to sacrificing her."

"Then are you going to sacrifice this young lady instead " she's referring to me.

"I promise to protect her with my life, as long she'll keep mother's health in check. And I'm going to keep that promise no matter what "

She nods trying to convince herself that whatever her brother chooses is the best for them 

"Okay what do you want me to do?"

"She was considered a Sin from where she came from. She was tortured, threatened, traded like an animal. Because she lost her virtue at young age. She was raped..."

"Only a virgin can be a princess" it was a sincere reminder.

"I want to change that narrative. With your help I'm going to make Farah my princess"

"It will create a conflict in the Ladies court, the queen won't allow it "

"I've never want anyone's permission to possess what i want. I won't need it this time either. Just help me raise Farah's prestige, and leave me with the task of making her my Princess "

Aziza stood up "for how long are you leaving her here?"

"A week "

"Make it two, she'll need a lot of care, her body is lifeless now".

He also stood tall.

"I'll be back to take her with me". 

He didn't care to bid me goodbye before they all left, so Faris didn't get a chance to either.

She entered the room she has given me after he left. I quickly change from my sitting position to kneel in front of her.

"What's your name?"

"Rooh Farah, but everyone calls me rooh ba'ees"

She frowned "from now on, you're no longer Rooh ba'ees only Farah"

I nodded.

"I'm Namir's older sister Aziza, he has left you now with me" she took my hand in her's as she speaks. The amount of blisters and callouses she saw scared her.

"What did you do to your hands?" She scolded.

"Manual labour" i smiled.

"Where are you parents?" She's as curious as her brother.

"My mother's dead. I caused her to suffer a stroke." And my father, he didn't want me. He sold me".

"To Namir?" 

I nodded.

"So that's how he gets to marry you?"

I nodded again.

"Do you even know what marriage means Rooh Farah?"

"I'll be serving Master Namir... Oh Prince from now on. I'll do only as he instructed since he's my husband "

She roll her eyes "I see! Get up let me check you out".

I stood up slowly and she scan my body briefly. "You're too pale, too thin, your skin is too dull, your feet is cracked and too much blisters on your hands.... " 

She removed my head tie checking my tangled hair while politely scrunching her nose because of the bad smell.

"You have lice on your beautiful hair"

"I'm practically damaged " i whispered to myself as tears filled my eyes thinking I'm no match to master Namir even though he's a monster.

"I promise my brother I'll repair you. And i never break my promise to him. So even thought .it'll be tough and I'll be strict with you henceforth, you have to bear with me, I'm only trying to bring out the best in you".

I just nod since i have no reply to give.

"Henceforth, if me or the prince or our mother says something, you should only reply with words".

"Yes your majesty"

"No! I'm not a royal, I don't consider myself as one. So I'm only your sister in-law"

"Yes ma'am " i corrected.

"However, there are some people you should be disobeying, I'll also teach you disobedience " she grinned.

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